Honda breakaway



Nov. 14, 1950 F. s. RUDOLPH 2,530,031

HONDA BREAKAWAY Filed Sept. 9, 194a a Fj/RICZOI /L ,AFZJ.

Patented Nov. 14, 1950 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE H HONDA BREAKAWAY Faucette S. Rudolph, Torrance, Calif. Application September 9, 1948, Serial No. 48,352

I This invention relatesto lariats, and more particularly to an automatic release device for the lariat honda.

;It is-a general object of the present invention to provide; a novel and improved release for a lariat honda.

A primary object of the invention is the provision of an improved release device for the honda of a lariat so constructed that pull on the-honda, as by the remainder of the lariat when an object is caught, will cause the device to readily release.

A further object of the invention is the provision of an improved automatically releasing honda particularly adapted for practice roping, whereby an object may be lassoed in the usual manner, but will be released when sufficient strain is exerted on the lariat.

An important object of the invention is to provide a lariat with an automatically releasing honda, whereby a cowboy may practice roping while riding herd, lasso a steer, and release the latter without dismounting from his horse.

Still another object of the invention is to provide an improved lariat with a release device in the honda, but which, nevertheless will have the desired feel and balance of the conventional lasso.

A salient feature of this invention is the provision of such a device which will be sturdy and durable in construction, reliable and eiiicient in operation, relatively simple and inexpensive to manufacture, assemble and utilize and which will release not only on a straight pull but on bending or the like.

Other objects and features will in part be obvious, and in part be pointed out as the description of the invention proceeds, and shown in the accompanying drawing, wherein there is disclosed a preferred embodiment of this inventive concept.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a portion of a lariat showing the break-away attachment affixed in the honda thereof;

Figure 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of the preferred form of the break-away or release device illustrating the dual split ring construction in a closed position; and

Figure 3 is a perspective of the break-away showing the attachment in the released position.

Similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the several views of the drawmgs.

Referring to the drawings in detail, Fig. 1 illustrates a lariat I having the usual honda 2 3 Claims. (Cl. l19-153) having a leather protective balance 4. The honda loop is formed by fastening one end to the rope in the conventional .manner as at 3. Secured within the honda or loop, at any desired point, but preferably as shown, is a break-away or release attachment 6.

Referring in particular to Fig. 2, the release attachment 6 includes two sections 8 and '9 each having a rope end receiving sleeve. Opposed ends 5 and I of the honda rope are received in and fastened to the sleeve portions of the sections 8 and '9 respectively by means of a number of thru rivets or pins Hi.

The female or barrel-like section 8 has a shallow circumferential groove I 5 within its open end for the reception of a split spring ring Hi. The male section 9 is provided with a nose portion l2 of slightly less diameter than the inner diameter of ring I6 which has an outer peripheral groove I1 over which a split spring ring 14 fits.

The operation and use of the device will be readily appreciated. The parts 8 and 9 are secured to the ends of the honda as shown and attached to each other by longitudinal pressure. When this is exerted by grasping the ends 5 and 1 of the honda, the ring l6 expands tightly against the walls of its groove l5 and the ring I 4 is compressed around the groove I1 until the rings pass one through the other and reassume the positions shown in Fig. 2. The biasing of the spring rings [4 and I6 enables them to bind and hold the sections together until suflicient tension is exerted to part them. This is clearly illustrated in Fig. 2.

It will now be seen that there is herein provided an improved release device for a lariat honda, which serves satisfactorily to retain the rope, lariat, or the like, during the roping operation, but which, through its resilient split ring construction, is adapted to release the object immediately upon the exertion of the proper tension on the honda. The lariat may then be reassembled and utilized repeatedly for as many practice throws as may be desired. Under certain conditions the strain on the break-away is not a straight pull but may be exerted at an angle, the double ring construction released on a bending movement being applied thereto which is of considerable value.

From the foregoing, the operation and method of use of the device should be readily understandable; The device is capable of many uses either for games, sports, or educational practice. As explained, this lariat is particularly adapted for use by cowboys when riding herd and desiring to improve their roping technique, etc.

Since many embodiments may be made of this inventive concept, and as many modifications may be made in the release device as shown and described, it is to be understood that all matter herein is to be interpreted merely as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

I claim:

1. A honda break-away comprising a pair of members each having a socket to receive an end of the honda rope, means to secure said ends in said sockets, one of said members having an open tubular end and the other a short projection adapted to be loosely received therein, a channel in the tubular end, a groove around the projection, a spring ring in the groove and another in the channel, said rings being positioned to interlock when the parts are telescoped.

2. A release device for the honda of a lariat including two elongated cylindrical members, each having a socket at one end receiving respective ends of the honda rope, one of said members having an, open tubular end having an internal circularchannel, and the other of said members being formed with a nose portion having a circumferential groove, said'nose portion beingof reduced diameter and adapted tobe loosely received in said tubular end; a spring ring in said channel and another in said groove, said rings being positioned to interlock when the parts are telescoped and to hold said nose portion in a resilient spaced relation to said tubular end.

3. A honda for a lariat formed of rope having a splice forming an eye, and an interposed axially separable fastener forming a portion of one side of the eye adjacent the splice, whereby said honda will open upon direct pull or bending.

' F. S. RUDOLPH.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent: 

